I need a work knife

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Oct 6, 2011
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So ive come to you guys for recommendations before and have not been disapointed :D. But here is my latest dilema... I work in the electrical construction field installing transformers switchboards running trustes, stripping wire up to 500 kcmil and cutting many many many zip ties, big ones... I need a knife i dont have to worry about quite as much as the kershaw skyline i carry now... it gets plenty sharp but the thin blade kinda makes me weary sometimes... I need something strong as a rock, and will hold an edge for at least a full day lol. Isnt extremly expensive and overly huge considering i walk idk how many miles a day on site. I was thinkin around a hundred tops but the cheaper the better for fear of losing it. I was thinking a cold steel model knife like the recon1 or ak47, but i really want a spyderco like the superhawk but its pricey, and ive heard great things on the BM grip... so idk i just wanted some others opinions! Thanks for the help!
 
Spyderco Gayle Bradley would fit the bill. You might also consider a fixed like the BK11 or Izula.
 
If you're going fixed blade, and you're talking work knife...Go with the Becker BK14. I EDC one and they are a beast, seriously. I wish I had the video of the torture test that was done on one. Plus, they're only around 35 bucks.

For a folder, that's a little harder for me. I carry folders, but I'm just more into fixed blades. For 100 bucks though, I'm sure people are going to recommend Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw for starters. Which, are all great blades, but I'm going to recommend the Kabar Phat Bob. Cheap knife, but also built like a tank. Check it out.
 
Maybe it's just me, but it sounds like you need a good multitool, Leatherman or Gerber or SOG or Victorinox. There may even be some with non-conductive handles, but I'd figure you have gloves for that. Whatever you get, make sure it's something you can use with gloves on, yes?
 
Kershaw Blur in S30V would fit the bill, as well as a Spyderco Endura. I also suggest a Cold Steel American Lawman or Recon 1.
Lots of good choices here, the Benchmade Griptilian sounds like a good option for you.
 
I guess you need something with thick edge - so it could withstand cutting and scratching-stripping wires the whole day. So you do need something relatively cheap and practical, with "softer" steel. So my own choice would be with AUS8 or 154 CM. Something like Griptilian you have already mentioned. Or some CS Voyagers - I do not know them that well, so can not recommend. I would personally not go for any surgical instruments, any overbuild heavy folders, high performance more expensive steels, brittle (in my personal experience) VG-10 or premium priced M4...
 
Thanks for all the replies, haha i might just have to buy them all and try em! This place has got me goin pretty good... i just recently purchased a grip for a freind base on recommendations here and its well used... i had it shipped to her in fear i might keep it when i got it. i have a few knives with aus8 steel and have had a knife with a d2 tool steel blade and trust me i deffinitly know about the brittleness of supersteels. Ive had hands on expierence with cold steel knives but have yet to even hold a spyderco.. The gayle bradley looks awesome :) like i said i just have to buy them all! lol
 
The Manix 2 sounds like it would fit perfectly. Has a solid grip, plenty sharp, not too big (maybe a little heavy).
 
A good solid reasonably priced knife would be a Kershaw "Needs Work"

or

A more expensive option would be the Manix 2- Love that knife

or

ZT0350
 
Griptillian in D2 is the way to go. Around 100, 89 on ebay i think, and will hold an edge for far longer than a day. It's my EDC and while i probly dont do as much as you on a daily basis, I haven't had to sharpen it in 2 months, thats includes a two day camping trip.
 
The cold steel ak-47 makes a great hard use work knife. It's nice being able to wave it open when your using your other hand. I rotate it with my manix 2. The manix 2 will hold an edge much longer and is pretty tough but the ak-47 just feels like it will take way more punishment and the edge touches up a little easier. You can't go wrong with either knife and if your like me you will probably end up buying both eventually.
 
For the last 5 years I've worked aboard commercial fishing vessels doing structural steel, pipe fitting and general welding/fabrication. My favorite work knife is the Cold Steel American Lawman. As much as I like the TriAd lock, The Hogue Ex01 and Kershaw Blur come in a close second.

I think that if I were going to be cutting a lot of zip ties at work I'd use a good pair of dikes.
 
Cp, you are entirely right haha.. ive been using my dikes more but workin up high i forget em sometimes : / i do keep a craftsman cheapo folding utility knife as a back up... but for the love of knives i want a peice i can use daily just cause.. it doesnt always make sense ya know haha.. Ive had a needs work before and really couldnt get over the fatness of the thing in my pocket. zt 0350... i almost bought one last week held off for idk what reason, maybe its time
 
I beat the crap out of a Recon 1 tanto every day. In the past month I've probably processed 1000 pieces of cardboard(boxes/slip sheets) and it will still be sharp at the end of the day. I use a simple smiths sharpener and get it hair/paper shaving sharp easy.
 
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